St. Mary's Seminary is the first Roman Catholic seminary in the nation: rich in tradition while focused on priestly preparation for the 21st-century.
These pages provide information on the history, personnel, environment, and formation (in the Sulpician tradition) at St. Mary's.
The three pages in this section of our site touch on the very basics of the formation process.
A major part of priestly formation is intellectual formation, accomplished through the pursuit of academic degrees.
Desiring to assist in the strengthening of Hispanic ministry and recognizing the need for well-prepared priests dedicated in-part or in-full to this ministry, St. Mary’s Seminary and University has established a specialized track in Hispanic ministry.
St. Mary’s Propaedeutic Stage implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition). It takes place in a revitalized and expanded structure on the historic grounds of the original St. Mary’s Seminary in downtown Baltimore. The McGivney House welcomes candidates from all dioceses and is not limited to candidates destined to enter St. Mary’s Seminary & University, but is the recommended program for those who will come to St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute (EI) was founded in 1968 by St. Mary’s Seminary & University, America’s oldest Roman Catholic seminary, in cooperation with ecumenical leaders. St. Mary’s is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Ecumenical Institute encourages people of all denominations to explore theological studies in a serious, open-minded, and supportive environment. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
The Ecumenical Institute invites people of all denominations into theological study that pursues excellence and promotes ecumenical understanding and respect. All EI programs are available wherever you are - on campus in Baltimore, and on-line.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute has a rolling admissions policy. Students may apply at any time for admission by submitting the appropriate materials.
The Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological programs for two master’s degrees, several graduate certificates, and introductory explorations.
The post-master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Theology (CAS) is designed for individuals who possess a master’s degree in theology (e.g., MAT.), ministry (e.g., MACM), divinity (e.g., MDiv), or a related field and who desire to continue their theological education with a general or focused program of study.
The Doctor of Ministry program roots ministry in the mission of God, the ways God is working in your context, in your ministry, and in you.
Students have a host of resources available to support their theological education, from free parking and a great library to writing assistance and advising.
St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute offers accredited graduate theological education that is intellectually rigorous, personally enriching, and professionally empowering.
More than 750 alums of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute are making a difference in Baltimore, in Maryland and D.C., West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and around the world.
General communication and individual contacts
It is the mission of the Center for Continuing Formation to encourage bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers to engage in human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral growth and to enable processes of growth that are ongoing, complete, systemic, and personalized.
Forming Supervisors for Vocational Synthesis implements the vision of the Program for Priestly Formation (6th edition) for the final stage of preparation for the priesthood.
Conference space rentals include a large room that will seat as many as 58 and smaller rooms that will seat from 4 to 30.
St. Mary's Center for Continuing Formation offers and hosts a variety of continuing formation programs for priests in the spirit of the Bishops' new Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU.
For more information about any of our conference facilities or space rentals, please contact our offices directly.
The Marion Burk Knott Library of St. Mary’s Seminary and University is the largest specialized theological library in the Baltimore area, with additional materials in the areas of philosophy, psychology, pastoral counseling and church history, among others. The library receives over 390 periodicals and maintains a collection of 20,000 volumes of bound periodicals. Other holdings include newspapers, microfilm, and audio-visual materials.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University opened in the spring of 2002. Located on the campus of the nation’s first Roman Catholic seminary, this program brings together the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (est. 1789), St. Mary’s Seminary & University (est. 1791), and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States (U.S. Province est. 1903), making it one of the most significant repositories for records relating to the early history of the Catholic Church in the United States.
Click here for more information about hours and visitor policies.
This section was created to provide researchers with a brief description of the open collections in the archives of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Mary's Seminary & University, and the Associated Sulpicians of the United States.
The Associated Archives at St. Mary’s Seminary & University has developed a genealogical policy responsive to individuals researching their Catholic roots.
We facilitate personal integration of the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions necessary for authentic priestly witness and service in the image of Jesus Christ.
The response of faith to classical questions of right and wrong as well as new issues raised by contemporary society make ethics a primary theological concern. In moral theology (theological ethics) courses, the role of Scripture in ethical decision-making, the nature of personhood, the ability to reason, the meaning of virtue, and the testimony of the Christian ethical tradition are investigated in the light of personal and global ethical concerns.
Note the following abbreviations: PR = prerequisite; CR = corequisite; PR/CR = either a prerequisite or a corequisite. Corequisites may be taken either at the same time as or before the course listed. Prerequisites and corequisites may be waived only with the permission of the Dean and the instructor.
A survey of the major foundational themes in Christian ethics, such as sin and virtue, moral development, conscience and character, Scripture and ethics, and approaches to selected contemporary issues. PR/CR = TH601.
An in-depth study of the nature, ministry, and mission of the church in Catholic teaching as the context for examining current issues. Cross-listed as ST691. PR = TH601, MT600, ST601.
An historical, theological, and socio-cultural analysis of King’s writings, with attention to influences on his thought and to his legacy. Cross-listed as H703. PR = TH601.
An examination of the biblical, theological, and moral aspects of hospitality and their relation to contemporary moral and political issues. Cross-listed as ST713. PR = TH601.
An historical, theological and socio-cultural analysis of some of the major people, places and events of the Civil Rights movement, with particular focus on the implications of the movement for the contemporary church. PR/CR = TH601.
A survey of fundamental issues in, and current theological perspectives on, topics such as abortion, euthanasia, treatment of terminal illnesses, the ethics of genetic research, patient rights, physician-assisted suicide, and justice issues in health-care delivery. PR = TH601, MT600.
An historical analysis of the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, with a focus on his work in the areas of Christian theology and ethics. Also offered as MT/ST729. PR = none. Cross-listed as ST729. PR = TH601, MT600 or ST601. Also offered as MT529. (PR = none.)
This course is an introduction to the theological ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. PR = Th601.
An examination of scriptural, theological, and ethical principles of Christian social thought with an emphasis on current ecclesiastical statements and ecumenical approaches to social issues. PR = TH601, MT600.
A study of social justice themes in the four gospels and their application to contemporary social problems. Cross-listed as BS756. PR = BS600, TH601, and either BS622 or BS635.
An examination of ethical and social justice themes in the Hebrew Bible and their application to contemporary issues. Cross-listed as BS757. PR = BS600, TH601, and either BS621, BS625, or BS630.
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